“I want a different environment, a different series – to get a bit more balance,” Webber explained. “Most of the decision is for the off-track stuff. You want to have more balance away from the racing.”

This year’s World Endurance Championship features eight events to F1’s 19.

“It will not be a rocket ship to success,” Webber said of his impending switch. “We have to work hard.”

“But it is a super famous company – one of the most famous automotive brands in the world – so that is very exciting for me.”

Webber will also be returning to the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. He previously competed with Mercedes at the La Sarthe track but suffered two high-speed crashes in which his car flipped over violently.

“I still have unfinished business at Le Mans,” Webber added. “I loved racing at Le Mans, even if we had tough times there.”